In today's episode, you’ll find Ryan and Kevin catching up on life and then jumping into the interview with a multi-talented former school teacher, master of rock slabs, forest plantings, and South Carolina yamadori collector - John Geanangel. John shared with us his bonsai origin story, how it led to becoming a headliner artist for the Bonsai in the Blue Ridge convention in 2026, and what you can expect when attending his 3(!) Bald cypress workshops there. We also discussed his methods for bald cypress yamadori collecting and growing from seed.
The video version is here.
Show notes, relevant pictures, and links are here.
See you in the next episode!
Guest Info:
John Geanangel is a bonsai enthusiast passionate about his local scenery and the natives in the South Carolina area. Find more of his work on his Facebook page and YouTube channel, which have lots of great content from previous years of educational efforts and recent tree projects.
Sponsor Info:
This episode is sponsored by our co-host via the Kevin Faris moving sale of bonsai pottery, tools, and trees. View these items at In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA in-person, or online (shipping available) at invivobonsai.etsy.com, or go to www.InVivoBonsai.com and navigate to the consignment pottery and tree pages.
Mailbag submissions/Community:
Support the Pod:
Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends, you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.
Podcast Info:
The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, our website, and our email BonsaiTimePodcast@gmail.com.
Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or here.
Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on SoundCloud and BandCamp.
Host info:
Ryan is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. Kevin is a bonsai practitioner/teacher now living in Massachusetts. Kelly is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area.
More Bonsai Projects by Ryan:
Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services here.
Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. here. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide.
Find Ryan on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok as well if you need more bonsai in your feed.
Also, check out some of my video editing work for the Puget Sound Bonsai Association and Columbus Bonsai Society's demonstration archives.